COVID-19 Updates from Mercer County

Coping with social distancing and isolation during COVID-19

Dealing with Stress

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include:

Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19

Children and teens

People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders

People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

The New Jersey Peer Recovery Program, a call-in peer support line for people who have problems with substance use or need support in recovery, is offering its wider support to the Mercer County community during this public health crisis. The program is part of a call center run through Rutgers UBHC, which has many different types of peer support lines. Sometimes during a crisis, we can feel lonely and isolated, and it's good to talk to someone who understands what you might be feeling, whether you are a parent at home, a veteran, an officer of the law, or an older adult. Phone numbers are in the graphic below and are also listed.

New Jersey Peer Recovery program hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and beginning March 26, hours will be extended to 10 p.m. for individual with substance abuse problems or those in recovery and feeling like they need extra support. That number is 1-833-422-2765.

Other resources:

Vets 4 Warriors -- 24/7 National Program for veterans who have served in wars-1-855-838-8255

Aid NJEA -- school staff members and their families Monday-Thursday 12 noon to 8 p.m. and Fridays 12 noon to 6 p.m., 1-866-243-6532

MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS

County Executive Brian M. Hughes said that people who are interested in assisting their community during a crisis should consider joining the Mercer County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

The Mercer County MRC unit invites any licensed health care professional, professional or retired, who lives or works in Mercer County and any community volunteer who lives or works in Mercer County who has an interest in health and emergency preparedness issues to join. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources to prepare for and respond to emergencies at a local level. All volunteers receive free training.

Sign up to be an MRC volunteer by creating an account on the New Jersey Learning Management Network. CLICK HERE for instructions. For more information, contact Stephanie Mendelsohn at 609-989-6898 or smendelsohn@mercercounty.org.

SYMPTOMS

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath

Call ahead to a health care professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread. Tell your health care professional about your recent travel or contact. Your health care professional will work with the State Health Department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Everyone can play a part in responding to this emerging, rapidly evolving public health threat. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine and taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs. This includes:

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect recently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

CURRENT STATUS

The New Jersey Department of Health on March 17 announced 89 new positive-test cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the state to 267, with three deaths. Bergen County has the most positive cases, 84; Mercer County has nine. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard for more information.

The CDC on March 17 announced a total of 4,226 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and a total of 75 deaths, with 53 locations (49 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. This includes both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since Jan. 21, 2020. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases.

The federal government has been working closely with state and local partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this public health threat. Unprecedented, aggressive efforts have been taken to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of this virus.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. CDC will continue to update the public as circumstances warrant. For more information about COVID-19 visit www.mercercounty.org/covid-19.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

24-Hour Public Hotline -- 1-800-222-1222. Trained health care professionals are standing by 24/7 to answer your questions about COVID-19. The call is free. Note: Hotline is not to locate testing, to get test results or for medical advice.

Coping with Stress. Stress and anxiety are real emotions during unsettling times. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health offer good advice on how to deal with heightened emotions. If you or someone you care about are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517).

For handouts and posters on the coronavirus to share with your coworkers, family and friends, please visit the CDC at:

Information for Travel. At this time, the CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to China, Iran, most European countries, United Kingdom and Ireland, and South Korea. Updated travel information specific to COVID-19 can be found at:

We will present you with updated information as it becomes available to us at Mercer County, and we assure you that we will actively collaborate with our partners in health at the state and federal levels.

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